Five Steps to Develop the Perfect Putt
Putting is often named a game inside a game, because many of the skills you need to be a good putter are unlike from those needed for the rest of the game. What's more, studies show that putting accounts for 43% of the shots among better players. You'd be in trouble(p) to find a great golf player who wasn't a good putter!
Given these facts, it makes sense for time-pressed golfers to invest time in their putting. Up to now in my experience, most students ask for tips on everything but putting.
If you're serious about lowering your scores, try following these five simple steps to putting perfection.
1. Position
Position yourself so your eyes are over the intended line of the putt (ball line). To do this, hold your putter loosely and directly under your eyes as you address the putt and let gravity take it straight down. Now, make sure that when you look down at the putter, that it covers the ball. If not, move forward or back until it does. Ball position should be somewhat forward (toward the left foot). Hands should also be forward. Align the putter shaft with the left forearm. This position promotes a good roll as the ball leaves the putter face.
2. Grip
Your hands should work as a unit and not be spread apart. The farther apart your hands are, the more probable you are to use your wrist joint, which is what you don't want to do. (The putting stroke originates in the shoulders and arms.) Use a normal grip, with three fingers of each hand on the club and the others just on the putter for the ride. Use relatively a light (5 on a scale of 1-10) grip, with a pressure level in order to promote feel.
3. Aim
Find a target and imagine a straight line through the center of your putter. Don't get too caught up in the line that your feet make, but do be sure the putter face is square to the target. This is also the line your stroke should follow. Don't tilt your head, or you'll distort the perspective.
4. Stroke
Your putting stroke should be dominated by the shoulders and arms and involve as little wrist movement as possible. Minimize body movement, and try not to shift your weight or turn the hips. (In other words, forget much of what you've learned about the body's function in a full swing!)
5. Acceleration
Successful putters have a backswing and follow-through of equal length. This promotes acceleration and aids in distance control. One of the most common faults I see, is a player taking the club way back and then stopping at the ball on the down stroke, anticipating the hit. Remember to stroke through the ball, not at it!
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